Leaving Cleveland, Gan Guoyang drove himself to Chicago to meet up with his teammates.
In February, it snowed again in Chicago, though not heavily, so it didn't affect the traffic.
Gan Guoyang remembered that for more than ten years, every time he came to Chicago for a game, half the time the weather was rainy or snowy.
Including that crucial 1988 All-Star Game, which took place in the midst of a snowstorm.
Now, Chicago was still snowing, but Gan Guoyang had to accept a fact: the Bulls no longer had Michael Jordan.
After arriving at the hotel, Gan Guoyang called Jordan, asking if he was in Chicago and if he would come to watch the game that night.
"I've already bought VIP box tickets, waiting to watch you perform, Sonny. You've been scoring like crazy lately."
"Oh, thanks, I'm just playing normally. I can clearly feel myself declining. Damn, I should be a bit worse than the best you were, I can't stand myself anymore."
"You only just can't stand yourself now? My God, I've been unable to stand you for a long time."
The two old friends reminisced over the phone, and Gan Guoyang was happy that Jordan could watch his game in Chicago.
After retiring, Jordan was very busy, playing golf, attending business events, flying worldwide to promote his shoe brand, and appearing on various shows and talk shows.
Although he ended his basketball career, at 37, Jordan was at an age when a man is at his peak, so it was impossible to make him rest.
After not being a player, Jordan tried to become part of a team's management, hoping to continue working in the NBA and showcasing his talents in different positions—if he actually had that talent.
The Chicago Bulls were, of course, Jordan's first choice, but his bad relationship with Klaus and Reinsdorf gave Jordan no chance of staying in Chicago to work for the team's management.
Moreover, Jerry Krause completely distrusted Jordan's abilities. When playing, Jordan prioritized background over talent when selecting people, and Krause believed Jordan didn't have the knack for spotting potential stars.
Unable to stay in Chicago, the Milwaukee Bucks reached out to Jordan, hoping he would join them as a minor shareholder and become the team's general manager.
Jordan was to buy a portion of shares from the Bucks' owner, with a future possibility of fully acquiring the Bucks and becoming the majority owner.
If successful, Jordan would become the first person in NBA history to transition from player to owner, having earned a lot of money during his decade-long career.
But at the last moment before finalizing the deal, Bucks owner Herb Kohl withdrew from the decision, not wanting to sell a portion of shares to Jordan or let him become the general manager.
It's not that Herb Kohl didn't trust Jordan's vision and ability (though he probably shouldn't have), but Kohl believed that letting Jordan become a minor shareholder wouldn't have a positive impact on the Bucks' local market in Milwaukee.
Although Jordan was immensely famous, second to none in NBA history, Milwaukee fans liked him a lot.
But he ultimately didn't play for the Bucks, and as a general manager, Jordan had no roots or connections in Wisconsin.
The Bucks' management as a whole believed Jordan's arrival wouldn't significantly help the team, and his past reputation as a tyrant might disrupt the team's harmony.
Therefore, Jordan's plan to buy the team was put on hold, and joining the Bucks fell through.
By the fall of 1999, another team, the Washington Wizards, reached out to Jordan.
Wizards' owner Pollin extended a hand for cooperation, hoping Jordan could become a minor shareholder and general manager of the Wizards, bringing "championship experience and luck to Washington."
The two sides were in negotiations, Jordan wanting to fulfill his dream of owning a team, and Pollin hoping Jordan's influence and appeal could help recruit talent and lead the team out of years of struggle.
Since reaching the Finals in 1988, the Washington Wizards had achieved nothing. After Charles Barkley left, they couldn't find another iconic star to support the team and market.
Forget about the championship; they even struggled to reach the playoffs. The team's draft picks, trades, and signings were exceptionally chaotic, with frequent changes and no patience throughout the organization.
However, Jordan didn't seem like a very patient person either, and the negotiations weren't going smoothly.
On the day of the Trail Blazers and Bulls game, in the afternoon, Jordan messaged Gan Guoyang to come early to the VIP box at the United Center for a chat and catch-up.
Gan Guoyang arrived at the arena early at 3 PM. It had been a while since he last saw Jordan, and during their embrace, he noticed Jordan had gained a noticeable amount of weight.
"Are you switching to the center position? You've been gaining weight pretty fast, Michael."
"Don't joke around; I consider myself one of the best at maintaining my physique post-retirement. I still train every day."
After a few jokes, they got to the point, and Jordan asked, "Sonny, what do you think about me joining the Wizards as the general manager?"
Gan Guoyang really wanted to say not great; if you become a general manager, you'd surely be the worst in history. At last, you won't have to be a perpetual runner-up.
But considering Jordan's pride, Gan Guoyang swallowed those words, having become gentler toward Jordan since his retirement.